In fourteen specially commissioned chapters by leading Shakespeare scholars from around the globe, Late Shakespeare, 1608–1613 provides an essential re-appraisal of the final phase of Shakespeare's writing life. Arranged for the first time in the best-established chronological sequence, Shakespeare's last seven extant plays are discussed in detail in dedicated chapters, from Pericles to the other late co-authored works, King Henry VIII and The Two Noble Kinsmen. The plays are situated in the context of Shakespeare's financial investments, his focus on the practice of reading, the changing nature of his acting company and the pressing issues of contemporary politics and urban life. The book also goes on to explore the relationship between Shakespeare and his audience and considers the dominant themes in his final works. Analysing and responding to the latest criticism in the field, this volume brings to light a vital re-examination of what it means to discuss 'late Shakespeare'.
• Provides a full chronological treatment of Shakespeare's last seven plays to offer an entirely new perspective to readers • Offers a fully contextualised approach to the final productive years of Shakespeare's life so that readers can understand the time and situation in which his final works were produced • Responds to recent criticism in the areas of late writing and Shakespeare studies and will appeal to readers with an interest in current critical trends
Contents
Introduction Andrew J. Power and Rory Loughnane; 1. Pericles, Prince of Tyre: Pericles, Prince of Tyre and the appetite for narrative Andrew Hiscock; 2. Coriolanus: Coriolanus and the late romances David George; 3. Cymbeline: recognition in Cymbeline Raphael Lyne; 4. The Winter's Tale: kinetic emblems and memory images in The Winter's Tale William E. Engel; 5. The Tempest: 'hush, and be mute': silences in The Tempest Michael Neill; 6. King Henry VIII: semi-choric devices and the framework for playgoer response in King Henry VIII Rory Loughnane; 7. The Two Noble Kinsmen: Shakespeare's final phase: The Two Noble Kinsmen in its context Sandra Clark; 8. Shakespeare: from author to audience to print, 1608–13 Grace Ioppolo; 9. Reading strange matter: words and text in Shakespeare's late plays Charlotte Scott; 10. Late Shakespeare, late players Andrew J. Power; 11. Cities in late Shakespeare Adam Hansen; 12. Shakespeare and James I: personal rule and public responsibility Stuart M. Kurland; 13. Writing faithfully in a post-confessional world Thomas Betteridge; 14. Magic and gender in late Shakespeare Ian McAdam; Afterword Gordon McMullan.
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